Come into the Tipi

I just added a link to the website of Jodi and Richard Creager. Be sure and visit their galleries to see their phenomenal art work. Jodi and Richard are two wonderful people that I've been privileged  to meet, and come to know.

They have recently become the proud owners of a genuine Tipi.

Tipis are made with an outer cover, and an inner liner. Originally these were made from sewn up buffalo hides. The average tipi would take 15 hides. In the late 1800's, with the whites moving out west, they discovered canvas and started using that as it was easier to get.

Come, lets check out the inside of the tipi

The outer cover is wrapped around poles, and laced down the front with the pins. This photo is taken inside looking out the opening.

In this tipi they used Lodge Pole pines. Lodge Pole pines are very straight, these poles come from Wyoming.

The tipi has a double lining. The purpose for having the inside liner is because the outer cover doesn't go all the way down to the ground, and there is an air gap underneath it. When you have a fire going inside the tipi, the rising warm air causes a draft and it pulls air in from the outside, between the outer cover and the inner lining, and up and out the smoke hole. It works like a chimney, keeping the air clear of smoke. The inner liner also acts as insulation keeping the inside warm and cozy.

Another practical reason for the inner liner is because the light from the fire would cast shadows on the tipi. Your enemy would know where you were in the tipi and could attack you, so the double lining also acted as protection from rivals. The Indians called it a ghost liner.

In the cold winters they would stuff grass in between the liners for more insulation. They would also store things in between the liners, it was like a handy closet.

When you put up the inner lining, it is tied up with rope to the poles. Notice these two little pegs, these keep the rope from completely encircling the pole. When it rains, even with the smoke hole closed, the rain would run down the center of the pole. If the rope were tied completely around the pole, the rain would hit the rope and drip into the tipi's outer edges, where everyone sleeps. The pegs hold the rope away from the center of the pole, this keeps the rain running down the pole and it doesn't drip until it gets to the outside ground. Of course they used twigs not these nice dowels. Pretty darned clever.

The owner of the tipi sits and sleeps at the back of the lodge, then other family members would sleep around the rest of it. They could sleep about 10 people.

They always had an alter where they kept valuable religious items and sacred things, behind the fire.

The chair on the right is not a typical Native American style, it's considered more of a mountain man's chair. Richard carved that for Jodi. The chair on the left is traditional Indian style seating. This one is made from bamboo, but they normally made them from willow twigs that were woven together. It would take hundreds of willow twigs to make one of these. When they traveled the chair was just rolled up.

One interesting thing about the tipi is that it was designed by, put up by, and cared for by, and owned by the women. Men didn't own tipis or have anything to do with them.

Richard gave us a lesson on how to start a fire using flint

Here are more photos of the interior. Everything in the tipi has a special meaning and some items have been gifts to them, especially for the tipi, which makes them special indeed.

Off to the right is the first of the panels they have started decorating. Many Indians had the interior panels decorated and many of the panels told stories. Jodi and Richard are going to paint a panel with the story of their life together, that one will go above the door. I can't wait to see that one.

Looking up.

More photos of the inside.

Stepping into their tipi is like stepping into a different world, a nice world, a tranquil world, a place of peace and comfort.

Thank you Jodi and Richard for sharing your special place with us.

Comments

[Jodi and Richard Creager]

Thank You Thank You for the wonderful description of our Tipi ... it is always a joy to visit with you...
Hopefully we will see you on your next visit.

Hugs,
Jodi and Richard (aka StoryTeller and
Gray Badger)